Apart from the obvious necessary cultural adjustments, the main thing that sticks out in my memories of growing up in Australia as a migrant’s child, was that as a family, we didn’t really have a voice in this country.
Imagine that. The thrill and anticipation in finding a new place to call home but not having the confidence to express or explain what you really need to make yourself feel settled in it. But you just made the most of it, anyway.
The final day of Sydney Writers Festival 2014 couldn’t have ended it with a more poignant and relevant panel session, “Strangers From A Strange Land”.
With critically acclaimed author of The Joy Luck Club Amy Tan and my own literary hero Benjamin Law participating, all the panel members are children of migrants. The discussions struck such a familiar chord, it was almost like a homecoming.
I was with my kind of people.
While they were ethnically different to me, migrant kids have a universal flow of common themes in their upbringing.
The constant strive to survive; strong work ethics that make up for lack of language skills; the incessant high scholastic expectations of their children because “We didn’t sacrifice everything coming to this country and provide you with a good education so you could be a failure. Damn it”
Sure, there are all different variations of parents – crazy, elusive, relaxed but migrant parents are definitely a breed of their own.
In Amy Tan’s case, it was a case of the briefly psychotic kind.
Imagine having your own mother so angry at you in your choice of boyfriends that in midst argument, she closes the pantry door, locking you both in while she held a meat cleaver to your neck, threatening to yes, kill you.
Absolutely beyond words horrific.
But when Amy puts it into context, adds the tragic background of how her mother had to leave behind daughters back in war torn China, then later have her beloved husband and son die in the same year of brain tumours, there was a lot…ahem…stuff going on there.
While my mum – thankfully – doesn’t utilize her meat cleaver beyond the realms of her kitchen, she can get highly strung with the best of them.
I guess what Amy and Ben’s stories help me realize though is that simple concept of loving the one you’re with.
Wishing for a different destiny in life is futile because the one given to us moulds and shapes us, anyway.
Our parents arrived as strangers in strange lands, starting anew with very little from the past, they rebuilt lives without an utterance of regret or complaint.
And as a migrant child, that’s undoubtedly my biggest takeaway.
Did you go to the Sydney Writer’s Festival? Who’s your literary hero?
Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT
Zanni says
Writer’s festivals are amazing places for insights into other peoples lives and heads. Both those writers are very inspirational. Have you read Alice Pung’s book. I went to Uni with her, and is a reflection of her life as a migrant in Australia. It’s beautifully written. X
Lydia C. Lee says
Alas didn’t make the Writers Festival but seen plenty of what went on – maybe next year. I’ll be honest though, I get a little scared seeing authors I love, sometimes there’s a whole other personality there that can be a little disappointing…
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Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting says
Such a beautiful post and a really powerful imagery and message.
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Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
Hmmm, I can’t say I have a literary hero. Sorry, I am into trashy novels like Dan Brown and stuff like that lol! There is so much, as a 3rd generation Aussie that I take for granted. I’ve no doubt my great grandparents had many struggles coming to Australia, and I’m thankful they took that journey. Just as your kids and grandkids will be grateful to your parents. And hopefully before then, everyone in this country will have a voice. x Aroha (for #teamIBOT)
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Mystery Case says
So very envious. While I didn’t have time to catch up with you on my recent trip to Sydney. Next time round I’m going to organise a blogger catch up, so I can finally meet all my favourite bloggers.
Just need Mr C to return from sea and cheap flights to fall in my lap.
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Denise says
I was hoping to go, but couldn’t get up to Sydney in the end. I love both those writers too. That’s quite a story about the meat cleaver! xxx
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Emily says
Lovely post. Already looking forward to next MWF. I couldn’t make it to our EWF but have been following Twitchy Sharon very jealously! Glad you got so much from it.
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Lee-Anne says
What a lovely post, it must have been touching and inspiring for you Grace.
(It’s hard to beat Benjamin Law for wit and eloquence – together). Didn’t make it this year but hope to go next. 🙂
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Kylie Purtell says
Sounds like it would have been an amazing session to hear. I didn’t get to any of SWF but hopefully next year when I’m a bit freer of kids!
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Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
I love the Writer’s Festival! I can’t wait for the Melbourne one. I did some volunteering work there last year and I was so inspired. I discovered Kate Forsyth and I thought she was just so amazing!
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Josefa @always Josefa says
I just love writers festivals – actually I adore motivational festivals, music festivals, art festivals….I’m seeing a trend here. So many beautiful stories come from migrant stories, maybe because my story is a migrant story is the reason I love them especially so. Josefa #teamIBOT
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Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel says
I love Amy Tan and Benjamin Law! Growing up I always wished we were from somewhere more exotic – I didn’t have the contextual understanding of how easy my life was as a little blonde kid growing up in the suburbs. But I would still swap it for a strong cultural link to something…anything, really. Boo hoo, poor me. Ha!
I love writers festivals but haven’t been to the Sydney one. I ran a session at the Melbourne writers festival some years ago – still a highlight of my career!
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EssentiallyJess says
You know Darwin is really multicultural, so I’ve grown up knowing kids of migrants, but I’ve never really considered what it’s like for them. You make me want to go and find the stories of these people and read about their lives. So much I feel I could learn.
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Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I can’t imagine how that must have felt being so young! Sound like a great festival, haven’t been to any since becoming a mum, went to one in NZ, when I was too young to appreciate it! x
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Louisa Simmonds says
Got a bit of a secret crush on Benjamin Law myself. Loved the whole Writers Festival too.
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SarahD @SnippetsandSpirits says
Beautiful post Grace. Powerful message.
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Lisa says
Love this post Grace, have a fabulous long weekend. x
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